Christmas Survey

Have you been naughty or nice this year? - Nice

What do you want most for Christmas? - To be with my family

Do you believe in Father Christmas? - Absolutely

What is your favorite food at Christmas? - Cheese log and crackers

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? - Yup

Have you finished your Christmas shopping yet? - Yup

What is your favorite Christmas song? - The Holly & the Ivy

What is your favorite Christmas movie? - White Christmas

What is your best memory of Christmas? - Going to the theater with my whole family

What do you look forward to most at Christmas? - The simple acts of kindness I see daily

What are you doing for Christmas this year? - Headin' home to Montana, Hurray!

Who do you want to kiss under the mistletoe? - I'd tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.

What kind of Christmas tree do you have? - A decorated one.

Do you take part in a secret santa? - When the opportunity presents itself.

Do you go to any Christmas parties? - On occasion

Have you ever had a white Christmas? - More often than not

How early do you wake up on Christmas morning? - 7:00am

Do you still get a stocking? - It\'s the best part!

How many Christmas cards do you normally send out? - None

What is your Christmas wish? - A good job with good people...and world peace.

Take This Survey at Quizopolis.com

http://www.quizopolis.com/christmas_survey.php

I love Christmas time! I did a shortened version of this little survey with my fluency client today, and it was so much fun. She went to each of my professor's offices and asked them a few questions using her "slow easy speech" strategy, and she did a great job. It's really rewarding to see progress in so short a time. You might not have time to fill out the whole survey, but I'd love it if you'd hit the highlights:

1. Have you been naughty or nice this year?

2.What is your Christmas wish?

3.What is your favorite Christmas food?

4. What is your favorite Christmas song?

5. How early do you wake up on Christmas morning?

Almost there....

1/2 a test done and 1/2 to go!

A Graduate Student's Dream Christmas

1st She's finished all of her classes for her graduate degree program and she doesn't need to take any more.



2nd She knows where she's going to go for her externship, and she doesn't need to stress about it anymore. -Yea! Orem accepted me!!


3rd She gets to go home and enjoy her family.



4th She gets a full body massage and 3 years of tension created by the stress of tests, projects, presentations, and other strenuous classwork disappears.


5th She finds a stand for the swing she bought in Mexico and spends a good chunk of time relaxing in it with a good book.



6th She doesn't need to study for her final comprehensive exam or the PRAXIS for Speech Language Pathologists that she will be taking at the end of January/beginning of February.


Well, not all of these dreams will be realized, but 50% of them are guaranteed!!

Thanksgiving, My Favorite Holiday

I love the feeling of gratitude that pervades throughout the entire week leading up to Thanksgiving. Today we had three fabulous talks about thanksgiving. There's a great intangible feeling of hope, love, and happiness that accompanies gratitude. I have an abundance of things to be grateful for:

My family
My education
Good friends I've made in Logan
So many happy memories
Excellent Professors, Teachers, and Mentors
Graduating in May!
Spending Thanksgiving with my Parents, Brother, and Grandma
Having most of my big assignments due before Thanksgiving (rather than after it)
A great ward of fantastic young single adults
The Savior, Jesus Christ, and His infinite atonement
The Gospel of Jesus Christ
All the amazing blessings I've received since returning from my mission
And so many other things...my list could go on forever!

Interview in Orem Tomorrow

Wish me luck! I have my interview for the Orem Externship tomorrow. If all goes well that's where I'll be next semester!

Bugs

I have to admit, working in the schools hasn't been my most favorite experience. It's growing on me, though. As I get to know the kids better, they have become more willing to cooperate and listen to me. Occasionally my supervisor still has to intervene with a comment such as "Johnny, just because I'm not over there, doesn't mean that you can behave that way with Ms. Price." Usually they listen to me, though. Since I've been given a bit more independence about activities that I choose and how I teach, it's been more fun, too.

My favorite little boy I work with is a little guy who is working on articulation. He usually comes in and sits down with a little bit of a sour attitude. Then I say with a smile, "Wait a second, we don't act that way at Speech!" and he laughs and works really well with me. It doesn't matter what game I work with him on, he looks for the fun in it and seems to have a good time.

This week we played the bug game. It's a really simple game I found online for artic. therapy, where you hide the bugs underneath the sound cards that you work with, and when the child finds a bug he gets to decide if he wants to put it on a web for a spider to catch or on a leaf so it can "get away." It's super simple, but this little man thought it was so fun, he couldn't wait to take it home for homework!

I used the game with a group of kids that had a girl in it, too. This little gal is hilarious. She's got a really fun spunky attitude. She kept insisting that it wasn't fair that I given them a whole bunch of different bugs, but had neglected to give them butterflies. I finally agreed to bring butterflies for the next time, so that she would work hard for me, instead of going on and about the butterflies. Too funny!

Irony

This evening I was spotlighted during our Ward Prayer. It's basically the ward's opportunity to ask you funny questions about yourself in the attempt to get to know you a little better. They asked me the typical questions: Where are you from? What's your major? and How many siblings do you have? But the last question of the evening got me thinking....

"What were you for Halloween?"

Well, since I have an awesome sombrero and plenty of bandannas, I decided to be a Mexican Bandit for Halloween. I have to admit, I looked pretty good, I mean, I was pretty convincing (maybe not as convincing as the guy in the picture, but still...). I was so convincing, though, that it got me into serious trouble with (as Prairie has so fondly nicknamed her) She-who-must-not-be-named.

Based on the information given above, can you figure out what she falsely accused me of this week?

What I Should Be for Halloween

You Should Be a Werewolf

You are seen as a bit tough and quite unpredictable. You follow your impulses. You see Halloween as a time you can go a little crazy. You love to scare people, and people are quite scared of you. You tend to be intimidating - and not just on Halloween! http://www.blogthings.com/whatclassichalloweencostumeshouldyouwearquiz/

Autumn Changes

At the schools right now we're doing a Unit on a book called The Apple Pie Tree. It's got a nice little theme to it, talking about how it changes from winter, spring, summer, and fall. I've enjoyed it so much, that I'm going to use it as a language unit for a project I'm doing at school. Learning the changes of seasons is actually part of Utah's curriculum requirements. Kindergarten students are supposed to learn what happens in the outdoors when seasons change, and how people change in response to seasonal changes. It's really interesting to review the grade level curriculum requirements and to realize what it was the teachers were actually trying to teach us. I loved Kindergarten! I had absolutely no idea that my teacher was teaching me. We were learning in a way that had us explore the environment around us. How great it is to be a kid and get to learn about 'seasonal changes'!

Leaves change color in the fall, the earth is covered in snow in the winter, blossoms flourish in the springtime, and the grass grows long and green during the summer. I decided to enjoy a seasonal change myself:

'Tis the Season for Pumpkins

For FHE we ate pizza and carved pumpkins! O what fun! I made the spider and my favorite Jack-O-Lantern was Mr. Frank N. Stein.


The sad part is that we carved them so early on in October that they probably won't last until Halloween...but I'm sure going to enjoy it while it lasts!

I found the templates on this great website that offered free ones. It was at http://www.pumpkinlady.com/pattern.htm#2006 . There are all sorts of great patterns, I want to do them all, but alas I want to graduate from college more...therefore I will restrain myself.

And by the way, does anyone know how to rotate the pictures so they face the right way when you post them?

What Would I Do Without My Twin?

I certainly wouldn't have a new cute header and blog format, that's for sure! Thanks for the totally great work Lisa!

Kids Say the Darndest Things!

A couple of weeks ago a little girl walked into the Speech Room, took one look at me and said, "You have really hairy arms!" "Yep," I replied...what else could you say when it's stated so matter-of-factly?

It's funny, a little kid said that exact same thing to me while I was on my mission, and Evan told me that the little kids used to pet his arms when he was a missionary. The next time someone tells me that I'm going to say, "Yep, and they're long too...just like a monkey's oo oo a a a a!"

Testing the Limits

I've begun my student teaching at a school in Smithfield. It's an elementary school that begins with kindergartners and goes through the second grade. Total student enrollment? 500 Kiddos! It's a pretty large school, and my supervisor says that after I finish at the end of the semester they're going to have to hire a couple of Speech Aids or another Speech-Language Pathologist if they hope to be able to treat all of the students in her school.

As it is, we don't even have time for lunch. Every now and then we have a 5 minute break during which we hurriedly wolf down lunch, head to the restroom, or grab a quick drink of water. I love it. It's fun to be so involved with the kids, having a steady stream of work to do and working like crazy. Generally I enjoy my down time, but when I'm at school, I just can't wait for the next kid or group to show up.

One challenge with working in the schools, however, is that the language and speech groups that I am working with are testing their limits. The first few days I was there I watched them come in, sit down quietly, and work with the Mrs McWhorter, but now they have switched over to me for their instruction, and these same little angels are falling out of chairs, hiding under tables, and insisting that they have to have a drink or use the restroom, or they just won't be able to make it!

It's pretty entertaining. This past Thursday I was sitting next to one little boy and he was rocking his chair side to side. Mrs. McWhorter and I were working with the group as a whole, and I had successfully tuned him out (I'm good at that, compliments of Mom's genes) when all of the sudden he flew half a foot to the side with his arms flailing helplessly in the air and his feet successfully kicking me right on my shin. He landed completely sprawled out on the floor. The startled expression on his face was priceless. Fortunately, I managed to check my laughter and gently remind him that this is why rocking our chairs is against the rules: "we can get hurt..." -I'm not hurt!- he replied... "and [envision me rubbing my bruised shin] we can hurt other people..." Oh what fun! Who needs TV when your working with elementary kids?
I have one client at the clinic on campus, too. She is absolutely adorable. I'm working on fluency with her because she has a pretty significant stutter (along with language and speech difficulties as well, poor kid), and so far she has been an absolute delight to work with. My supervisor told me that she's never talked so much before. Generally she's been very shy/quiet/reserved, but that hasn't seemed to be an issue as of yet.

I'm Easily Amused

I'm easily amused, let's see if you are too:

Why do milking stools only have three legs?













Because the cow has the udder.

Girls Like Girls and Boys Like Boys...

Today I was studying in the Lillywhite Building. It's basically my second dwelling place on campus and I study better there than I do at home (less distractions), so I decided that if I wanted to be productive today, I ought to spend a few hours there. It worked, too. I finished all of my reading for this coming week.

While I was there, though, one of the Audiology professors was as well. She brought her children and this is the conversation I overheard out in the hall:

Little Boy: "Why won't you play with me?"
Little Girl: "Because girls like girls and boys like boys. That's just the way it is."
Little Boy: "Oh...but my mom and dad like each other!?"

Too cute! I just had to share it.

The Joys of Missionary Service

This Sunday I drove down to Springville to listen to my cousin share his homecoming talk. It was wonderful to hear about how he worked with such good and valiant members of the church, and how he was able to share and strength the faith and testimonies of the people where he served and of himself. I'm looking forward to hearing my other cousin in Malad speak this coming Sunday. Missionary work is a deeply rewarding experience, and like so many other gospel principles, it's the gift that keeps on giving. I returned from New Jersey 2 years and 4 months ago, but I still feel I'm being blessed for that year and a half that I set aside to serve the Lord.


About three months ago I received a phone call from some members in New Jersey to whom I had taught the gospel lessons. The couple I worked with were married and baptized while I was serving as a missionary, and a year later I was able to fly out to New Jersey and see them sealed in the temple for time and all eternity. I love this family dearly. Each time I talk to them I feel blessed that we have been able to develop a friendship and a bond through the sharing of the gospel. When they phoned, they announced that their family had a new little addition, a sweet little girl. I was excited to speak with them, and to know that they were still strong members of the church (he is a member of the branch presidency and she is a counselor in the Relief Society), and so happy!


I ended the phone conversation and told my mom how thrilled I was that they are still such a faithful little family and how they now had a new little girl. Knowing how excited and happy I was for them, my mom offered to help me make a baby quilt for the little tyke. I pieced it, Mom machine quilted it and sewed the binding on, and I just finished the binding on it. It turned out beautifully! (The pictures just can't do it justice). I'm going to send it off today.

Witty

This summer I enjoyed visits from two of my sisters. We had a great time and made some wonderful memories. My little niece and nephews are adorable and it was fun to get to know them and play with them.

Apparently, though, my first name can be quite a mouthful for a little kid. Growing up, my twin referred to me as Kissy because she couldn't get my full name out. This summer, as Bardo valiantly tried to coordinate his developing articulators (sorry I couldn't resist), I was known as Kwity, Wisty, and my personal favorite and his most frequent title: Witty. So in honor of Bardo (and because I've always wanted to be Witty :)), I've decided to change my screen to Witty.

The Dog Days of Summer

It's finally starting to warm up and feel like summer time here. A couple of weeks ago Mom and I headed out to Crow Creek falls with a friend, and had a great time. I did not, however, appreciate our dog Max panting on my neck the entire trip up to the trail head. It's easy to forgive a face like that, though.

We braved a horrible hike through dead-fall last week, and this week we're finally going to hike along the one of the trails above Eagle Guard Station, if the 100 degree temperature doesn't keeps us from the trail.

The rest of my week has been spent completing my internship. I've been working at St. Pete's Hospital. The area that I work in doesn't have any windows, but this week I've been enjoying plenty of sunshine and warm weather. I've been biking to and from work. With the newly paved back roads, riding has become decidedly easier. The first day it took me 35 minutes to get to St. Pete's from Montana City and about the same to get back. My speed is progressively improving, though. The next day it took 25 minutes to get there and 30 to get back, and the next couple of days I've cruised through in under 25 minutes both ways. It is so refreshing (although, I do get a bit sweaty) getting a bit of exercise before I start out, not to mention saving on those ridiculous gas prices!

Which Disney Princess Are You?

Free-spirited and wise. You have a strong passionate spirit that touches and changes all who know you. The wisdom and common sense that you have is really what guides you through life. Even so, you also have a very playful side that loves adventure and excitement.

Mas de Mexico

The Gabriel house is located about 20 minutes outside of Ensenada in Baja, Mexico. The houses we stayed at were in between Ensenada and a little tourist attraction called La Bufadora, or as we affectionately called it, "La Buf".

This is the first house where we stayed

And this is La Bufadora: One of nature's many wonders. As the tide comes in, the waves crash into the crevice of a rock, and the water spews out and up like Old Faithful.
It's mostly just an excuse for vendors to set up shop and barter with the cruise ship tourists that come through this way. The bartering was a lot of fun. We went up to La Bufadora three times, and on the last trip I had a lot of "friends" in the shops who would yell "Kristy, como esta?!"
I was one of the few people who came from Utah State who spoke Spanish, so I was very popular with the Mexican Vendors.
This was the only sight-seeing we did. The majority of our time was spent with the kids.
Oh yeah, and I can't forget to tell you about the Taco Stand...I'm not sure I'll ever be able to eat a taco in the USA ever again, they just can't compare to the deliciousness of the Tacos we ate every day at lunch.
Mmm...now that's one delicious memory!

Falling in Love in Mexico

I’ve just come home from a terrific trip to Mexico. I came with a group from the Utah State University Communication Disorders department to work in an orphanage called The Gabriel House. It was developed for orphaned children with severe disabilities. I was there for a week and a half. We came down with a group of Engineers who helped develop and install a more efficient septic tank for the orphanage, while we delivered an abundance of Spanish books (and some English ones that I spent a good while translating before we headed to Mexico), lesson plans, and activities. While there, we worked with children who had disabilities that ranged from cerebral palsy to preschoolers who are HIV positive.

These kids were so wonderful! I can’t believe how attached I became them in just a week and a half.

Antonio was my favorite.

Alex is Antonio's brother, they (along with their older brother José) have cerebral palsy.

Chloe is 2 1/2, she's HIV positive.

Rosalinda and her four sisters have a degenerative disease. I've never known people with as good a sense of humor as these girls.

Irene is HIV positive and (obviously) as cute as a button.

The Down Hill Slope

Hurray! I finished my midterms last week, and so far the results have been encouraging. If I can just keep it up for another month, I'll have survived my first year of Graduate School. That means one more semester of course work, another semester of an Externship after that, and I'll graduate. I'll then just have to do my 1 year for a CFY (a year of supervised practice), and I'll be a tried and true certified, ASHA accredited Speech Language Pathologist! (Fortunately the last year is paid.)

I'm also on the downhill slope for Relief Society. The Bishop asked me to speak in church on April 13th, and one of his counselor's said that they're trying to get new people called to the Relief Society Presidency by the time we speak. I finished up this month with a bang, though. We had our Relief Society Birthday Celebration, and it was awesome! We held it in the big beautiful home of one of the counselors in the Bishopric, it was catered by this yummy Mexican restaurant (that everyone in Logan loves) called Cafe Sabor, and we had an awesome speaker who spoke on the theme 'The Power to Change'.

The setup was quick and easy, and I didn't even have to help with taking things down. Even better, we had a record breaking number of sisters attend: 45 of them! We usually get about 45 to 50 sisters who attend Relief Society, and usually only about 2-5 who come to Enrichment, but we must have done something right this time, because they all came. . .

Here's the Puzzle I Made

This is the puzzle I made last Saturday. Stan had us make extra so I get to keep this one. It's a really good way to test cognition before the age of three, too.

What Kissy Does For Fun in Logan

So I was feeling like a bit of a grump recently. I hit one of those points when it feels like school is just going to go on and on and on and never ever ever end. After whining a bit to Mom she said, "Kristy, you have a three year plan, and your half way there. Hang in there!" She then instructed me to go out and have some fun. My mother always knows what to say and she gives the best advice.


I'm posting evidence that I am an obedient daughter. The first picture is of me in the AT lab (Assistive Technology, we do projects there that help members of the community who have disabilities and other needs...it's fun and it also counts for volunteer hours for my IDT class) up on campus. Yesterday a couple of my friends and I helped make wooden puzzles there. We made fifteen of them. If I get a chance, I'll take a picture of one of them when they're all painted and finished up.


Last week some great girls from my ward and I went out to dinner after the Leadership Broadcast. From right to left it's Becca, Tami, and me. As a funny side note, Tami is my wonderful Visiting Teaching Supervisor and the other day I was over at her house working with her to rearrange Visiting Teaching, when we heard a knock at the door. Tami got up, went to the door, and opened it to reveal the Elders.

Tami and I are in a singles ward, so the Elders were tracting all the houses in the family ward's neighborhood that weren't listed in their directory, and Tami's happened to be one of them. They began their door approach and we couldn't help grinning a little. They must have caught our smiles, because one of the elders asked: "Are you LDS?" Tami replied, "Well, I'm the Visiting Teaching Coordinator, [then pointing to me] and she's the Relief Society President in the singles ward we attend, so yep, I'd say we're LDS."

It's just one of those funny moments that makes me smile!

Winter in Logan

I can't believe how much snow there's been in Logan! Last week I went night skiing with my stake, and we'd just had a fresh snowstorm, making the skiing a ton of fun (except for the fact that it was 6º below zero...that made things a bit chilly). Now I woke up this morning and it's snowing again!

There's a group called Common Ground that aids individuals with disabilities, so they can participate in outdoor sports, and I'm going to volunteer with them this winter. Hopefully that'll give me lots of other opportunities to go skiing.

This is a picture of my front yard...we're running out of places to put the snow that we shovel from the driveway.


Here's the backyard. As you can see, it's currently snowing and there's just a skiff on my car, mostly, the snow that's on the ground is from previous snowstorms. This snowfall has just started, and rumor has it that this'll keep up throughout the day.